It's Time to PAK

Being Purposeful In The Way You Treat Others

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13]bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

“Random acts of kindness” has become a popular way of trying to make the world a better place. I believe this passage in Colossians dares us to practice “purposeful” acts of kindness.

Key words to look for in this passage are “put” and “let.” Both of these words indicate that we are being asked to make purposeful choices in certain areas: COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, PATIENCE, and FORGIVENESS. We must make the choice to let CHRIST’S PEACE rule our hearts (our whole being). Choose to be THANKFUL. And choose to have CHRIST’S WORD be in us so that we can share His Word with others and help each other grow in His Word. Moreover if we choose to have His Word in us we are more joyful (with our praise) and more thankful.

The final thought on Purposeful Acts of Kindness is to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus – the easiest way to know if you are doing this is to see who benefits the most. Is the recipient lifted up? Is Christ praised? Or do you get to pat yourself on the back and fill a selfish desire? I threw that last one in there because we can be tempted to do the right thing for the wrong purpose. It is my opinion that a PAK (Purposeful Act of Kindness) is part of dying to self and living for Christ (John 3:30) – this is where the first “puts” come in to play (compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness).

Try to add one PAK a day. Don’t tell others what you have done. Pray to the Father for guidance on who needs a PAK, and do it for the benefit of the recipient and for the Glory of God. Don’t let it be random – be purposeful in your kindness.